Great Zimbabwe: A medieval castle in southern Africa

The fortress that was out of place: the first explorers that rediscovered Great Zimbabwe for the western world at the end of the 19th century, refused to believe that such a fine and elaborate construction, with a look more typical of Medieval Europe, could be found in these latitudes, closer to the Tropic of Capricorn than the lands of the crusaders.

Conclusive evidence that the complex came from African origins was not found until 1929. Until then, the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara Desert was attributed to everyone from migrating Hebrew or Arabian tribes to the Queen of Sheba.

The magnificent ruins of the Shona people's civilization first began to be erected in the 11th century and continued to expand for more than 300 years. Image by Greg Imberty

The resemblance of these fortifications to those of the castles built during the European middle ages helped to maintain biased beliefs that African uncivilized African people in loincloths would not be able to create such an organized work of engineering. Image by Erik Törner

The outer wall of the Great Enclosure has walls of up to 36 feet (11 m) high.Image by Erik Törner

The elaborate masonry work had to be very well planned, as the stones fitted each other perfectly and no mortar was used. Image by Louis Reynolds

Instead of straight lines, the walls are designed following undulating curves.Image by Van Zyl

Organic look. They also took advantage of the natural layout of the area, building walls dovetailed into the rocks.Image by Kim + Craig Young

Many mysteries surround Great Zimbabwe. It is unknown why it was abandoned, nor is there a clear explanation of its location, apparently in the middle of nowhere, but at the same time in an area very rich in natural resources.Image by Erik Törner